Governor Lawal Laments Resource Curse, Says Zamfara Sitting on Gold But Earning Peanuts

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has lamented that the state earns “absolutely nothing” from its gold, lithium, and copper wealth deposits.

He stated this in a television interview monitored by our reporters where he described the rich endowments of the state as not benefitting his people who still wallow in poverty and lack.

“It’s unfortunate,” he said, pointing out that Zamfara’s natural resources have long been exploited with little or no benefit to its people.

This startling revelation sheds light on the long-standing issue of Nigeria’s centralised control over mineral resources and the marginalisation of states in revenue sharing.

The situation in Zamfara is worsened by a history of insecurity, which led the federal government to ban mining activities in the state in 2019.

Though the ban was lifted in December 2024, after security conditions improved, Zamfara’s mineral sector is still struggling to find its feet.

Determined to reverse the trend, Governor Lawal has embarked on a mission to revitalise the state’s mining sector.

He recently toured several mining sites, including the Comet Star Industry in Anka Local Government Area, which processes over 1,000 tons of ore daily using modern technology.

He’s also been engaging with local and international investors to kick-start sustainable and transparent mining operations.

Lawal believes this is the path to financial independence for Zamfara, adding , “We must move beyond dependency on federal allocations. With our mineral resources, we can generate enough to sustain our economy and improve the lives of our people.”

The governor’s call signals a push for more state-level participation in Nigeria’s mineral wealth and highlights the need for urgent reforms in how resource-rich states benefit from their own soil.